Sweet Alpaca Crochet Pattern

-          Hook Size: I/9-5.50MM

-          Yarn Used: Bernat 100% Acrylic Yarn

·         Eyes:

1.      (using white yarn) mc 6, but before pulling circle closed, insert base of safety eye into circle, then pull tail to close.

2.      Sl st into first st, cut yarn & pull through leaving small tail

3.      Repeat for second eye.

·         Snout:

1.      (using white yarn) mc 6

2.      Row 1: inc to 12 (sc x2 in each st) (12)

3.      Row 2: sc around (12), sl st, f/o leaving tail for sewing

4.      Embroider nose & mouth to center of snout using embroidery floss

·         Head:

1.      mc 6

2.      Row 1: inc 12 (sc x2 in each st) (12)

3.      Row 2: (in back loop only) inc 18 (inc, sc, repeat around) (18)

4.      Row 3: sc around (18)

5.      Row 4: (in back loop only) inc 24 (inc, sc x2, repeat around) (24)

6.      Row 5: sc around (24)

7.      Row 6: (in back loop only) sc 14, then sc (under both loops) in remaining 10 st (24)

8.      Row 7: sc in next 22 st, then sc (in back loop only) in remaining 2 st (24)

9.      Row 8: (in back loop only) sc 16, sc in remaining 8 st (24)

10.  Row 9: sc around (24)

11.  Row 10: (in back loop only) sc around (24)

12.  Row 11: dec to 18 (dec, sc x2, repeat around) (18)

§  Pause to add snout and eyes.

13.  Add snout:

§  In the blank area that has no “back loop only stitches,” sew snout (using darning needle) 3/4 of the way around to center of blank area. (DO NOT SEW OVER ANY BACK-LOOP-ONLY STITCHES.)

§  Stuff and sew closed. Secure knot/tail on the inside of head.

14.  Add eyes:

§  On either side of snout, poke 1 safety eye through st directly next to upper-corner of snout

§  Pull tails (from each eye’s mc) through to the inside of the head. Tie together in a knot to hold eye to st.

§  Add safety eye back to secure eye in place.

§  Continue with head.

15.  Row 12: (in back loop only) dec to 12 (dec, sc, repeat) (12)

16.  Row 13: sc around (12)

17.  Adding ruffles:

§  The st directly above your last st should be a “back-loop-only” st. Sl st into this (blo) st and chain 2. Hdc into same st.

§  Hdc x2 into each (blo) st.  Work in the continual round until you reach the eye area where the rows disconnect.

§  Once you reach the first eye area, turn work upside-down and continue hdc x2 in the first (blo) st of new row. (This st may be pushed a little under the eye so make sure you are working into the correct first st.)

§  Once you reach the end of this row, turn row right-side-up and hdc x2 into first st of next row. From here you can work hdcs in the continual round until you reach the top of head.

§  When you reach your final st, sl st to any loop on base of head next to your last st. Pull yarn through head and hide tail inside.

§  Stuff head.

·         Ears:

1.      (in magic circle) pull up a loop, sc, hdc, dc, tc, dc, hdc, sc

§  Use secondary color of yarn.

2.      Row 1: flip work, sc in next 3 st, sc x3 in 4^th st, sc in remaining 3 st

3.      Leaving tail for sewing, cut yarn and pull through loop

4.      Repeat for second ear.

5.      Fold in half and sew top corners of head between ruffles.

6.      Pull ear through ruffle loop so it is pointing upward, straight on top of head.

·         Legs:

1.      (using white yarn) mr 6

2.      Row 1-2: sc around (6)

§  Switch to main color of yarn, connecting with a knot.

3.      Row 3: inc to 12 (sc x2 in each st around) (12)

4.      Row 4: (in back loop only) sc around (12)

5.      Row 5: sc around (12)

6.      Row 6: (in back loop only) sc around (12), sl st, f/o leaving tail for sewing.

7.       Stuff leg.

8.      Repeat until you have 4 legs.

·         Body:

1.      mc 6

2.      Row 1: inc 12 (sc x2 in each st) (12)

3.      Row 2: (in back loop only) inc 18 (inc, sc, repeat around) (18)

4.      Row 3: inc to 24 (sc x2, sc, sc, repeat) (24)

5.      Row 4: (in back loop only) sc around (24)

6.      Row 5-21: beginning and ending with “sc around (24),” alternate every other row between these two patterns:

§  “sc around (24)” and

§  “(in back loop only) sc around (24)”

7.      Row 22: (in back loop only) dec to 18 (dec, sc, sc, repeat) (18)

8.      Row 23: dec to 12 (dec, sc, repeat) (12)

9.      Cut yarn, leaving tail, and pull through last loop.

10.  Stuff body.

11.  Using darning needle (in FRONT loop only), weave tail in through each st around opening, pulling tight to close up the hole.

·         Tail:

1.      (in magic circle) pull up a loop, sc, hdc, dc x3, hdc, sc

2.      Leaving tail for sewing, cut yarn and pull through loop

·         Shawl:

1.      Chain 26

2.      In 3^rd chain from hook, dc in each st (24)

3.      Turn, chain 2, dc in each st (24)

4.      Turn, chain 1, sc in each st (24)

5.      Turn, chain 3, sl st in 2^nd st from hook, repeat til end of row, sl stitching in every other st.

6.      Cut yarn and create slip knot to f/o. Weave in tails.

7.      Using ribbon or piece of yarn, create a bow by tying corners of shawl together.

·         Construction & Details:

1.      Tie yarn strand to base of head and sew to appropriate location on body (see photo).

2.      Sew legs to appropriate location on body (see photo).

3.      Fold tail in half and sew to body. Weave yarn tails inside body.

4.      Cheeks: Sew 1 small pink bead to the bottom, outer corner of each eye.

5.      Accessories: Create any accessories you want out of felt or yarn, then sew them on to theme your alpaca!

6.      Your Sweet Alpaca Plushie is now complete!